Event Description
In the final period of the Deterrence Era, human society elected Cheng Xin as the new Swordholder through democratic process. Cheng Xin was an accomplished aerospace engineer known for her kindness and empathy, winning overwhelming support in the public vote. However, the very reason for her election was her greatest weakness — the public chose her believing she would not rashly press the button, but the Trisolaran civilization anticipated her appointment for exactly the same reason.
The transfer ceremony was broadcast globally. The elderly Luo Ji handed the controller to Cheng Xin. Merely five seconds later, the Trisolaran civilization launched its long-premeditated attack — Droplets flew at full speed toward the gravitational wave transmitters. Cheng Xin had approximately fifteen minutes to activate the broadcast, but facing a button that would trigger the simultaneous destruction of two civilizations, she could not bring herself to press it. Her hands trembled, her mind struggled, but ultimately — she did nothing. The Droplets precisely destroyed all gravitational wave transmission facilities, and Dark Forest deterrence collapsed permanently. The Trisolaran civilization gained temporary control over humanity. This event became one of the most controversial moments in human history and made Cheng Xin the most debated character in the Three-Body series.